Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Paleontology
Asteroid strike spurred quick chill that led to dinosaurs’ demise
After an asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago, ocean temperatures fell 2 degrees Celsius, leading to mass extinction of dinosaurs and other life.
- Life
Pain may keep predators away, in squid anyway
Compared to healthy squid, injured ones start their defensive behaviors, including inking, when sea bass are farther away.
- Animals
Birds have clever solution for a cuckoo conundrum
Superb fairy wrens teach their incubating babies a password, and they become better teachers when they hear cuckoos are around.
- Genetics
Spider genomes give hints about venom, silk production
The genetic codes identify new proteins that may be involved in making and turning on toxins in venom and also those used to make spider silk.
- Neuroscience
Birth of new brain cells might erase babies’ memories
The growth of new neurons in early childhood may explain why adults can’t remember being infants.
- Paleontology
Oldest true dolphin species gets a new name
A dolphin species first described in the 1970s has gotten a new name but still retains the title of oldest true dolphin species identified to date.
- Animals
Everyday electronics may upset birds’ compass
Weak electromagnetic waves, coming from normal university activities, interfere with European robins’ migratory orientation.
- Life
New bird flu found in Antarctic penguins
Designated H11N2, the virus was found in less than 3 percent of the 301 Adélie penguins tested and the infection is asymptomatic.
- Genetics
Organism with artificial DNA alphabet makes its debut
Using DNA molecules other than A, C, G and T, scientists have created the first living organism with an expanded genetic alphabet.
- Psychology
Why every face you draw looks a little Neandertal
Just about everyone draws faces with the eyes too high and a low Neandertal forehead, maybe because of the way we perceive the shape of the head.
- Paleontology
Dinosaurs could take tough breaks
Meat-eating dinosaurs may have survived some extremely bad bone breaks, according to detailed chemical maps of the fossils.
- Animals
Woodpecker beaks divulge shock-absorbing properties
Scales, sutures and porosity help the birds hammer without going stupid.
